Numbers 31:5

5 And of each lineage they gave a thousand, that is, twelve thousand of men, ready to battle; (And so from each tribe they gave a thousand men, that is, twelve thousand men in all, ready for battle;)

Numbers 31:5 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 31:5

So they were delivered out of the thousands of Israel
] Several thousands very probably offered themselves voluntarily to go to the war, or however were summoned together on this account, and out of them the following number was delivered of picked and chosen men:

a thousand [of every] tribe, twelve thousand armed for war;
which was but a small number to go against so considerable a nation and people; but this was done to show that the war was of the Lord, he would fight the battle, and give them victory, it being the same to him to do it with few as with many; and to encourage the people of Israel to believe the Lord would give them success against their many and powerful enemies in the land of Canaan, on the borders of which they now were.

Numbers 31:5 In-Context

3 And anon Moses said, Arm ye (some) men of you to battle, that be able to take of the Midianites the vengeance of the Lord. (And at once Moses said to the people, Arm ye some men of you for battle, so that we can take the vengeance of the Lord upon the Midianites.)

4 (Out) Of each lineage be chosen a thousand men of Israel, that shall be sent (in)to battle.

5 And of each lineage they gave a thousand, that is, twelve thousand of men, ready to battle; (And so from each tribe they gave a thousand men, that is, twelve thousand men in all, ready for battle;)

6 which Moses sent forth with Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the priest. And Moses betook to them [the] holy vessels, and trumps to make sound (and the trumpets with which to sound the battle-cry).

7 And when they had fought against (the) Midianites, and had overcome them, Israel killed all the males (the Israelites killed all their adult males),